SILVER

Besides smart TVs, waterproof gadgets, gaming, tablets and smartphones, robots have become a major draw at CES 2012 in Las Vegas. While pop sensation Justin Bieber showed off a dancing robot mRobot at CES on Wednesday, the latest version of Murata Electronics' ECO MURATA BOY, a bicycle riding robot, demonstrated its balancing skills.

Gold prices, which already this week broke above a key resistance level, barreled on Thursday toward a one-month high.

Gold prices extended gains into the second day on Wednesday, rising above the closely-watched 200-day moving average. The yellow metal is trading at around its highest level in a month, supported by strong physical demand from India and China.

While many Republicans have struggled to say why they support a given candidate, the Ron Paul supporters who filled a banquet hall in Manchester, N.H., on Tuesday were eager to talk in detail about his message.

Things have soured for Hostess Brands. The maker of lunchbox favorites like Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Hohos and Drakes snack cakes will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

As a tech giant, even though Apple didn't attend the CES 2012, its powerful influence hasn't waned.

Gold traders in India, the world's biggest buyer of bullion, stepped up buying for the upcoming wedding season, as gold prices stayed near the week's trough, giving silver a boost.

Strong demand from China and India as well as short covering Wednesday extended a gold price rally that has lifted the yellow metal six percent since the end of last month.

Gold hit a four-week high and broke above a key resistance on Wednesday, defying a stronger dollar, as the festering euro zone debt crisis lured investors to its safety and signs of strong demand from the world's top two consumers also supported.

What do Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Vanessa Hudgens have in common? Sure all are stunning, elegant and successful people from the silver screen. But one thing that connects them, above all, is the fact that they all have debuted from the Disney club.

Shares of silver mining companies rose on Tuesday as the price of the metal jumped, outperforming the rest of the market.

Gold prices rose 1.5 percent near a closely watched level Tuesday to a three-week high as the dollar weakened and stocks rallied.

Gold rose towards $1,640 an ounce on Tuesday and other precious metals rallied, with a rebound in the euro versus the dollar making dollar-priced assets more attractive to holders of other currencies, and after bullion breached a key chart level.

Compared to the year earlier period, silver production was up 25 percent for the quarter to 1.12 million ounces, while gold production was up 45 percent to 7,045 ounces.

Silvercorp Metals Inc., whose shares plummeted after reports of accounting and resource statement fraud, has amended its lawsuit against those it sees as responsible for the allegedly defamatory reports.

India's central bank has allowed four more banks to import precious metals, a move that would boost competition and help reduce premiums in the world's biggest importer of bullion.

Hostess Brands Inc, a wholesale baker, is again preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Silver for March delivery, the most actively traded contract on the Comex, was up 25 cents to $28.93 and spot silver was up 10 cents to $28.85.

Here is an overview of Ron Paul's economic plan, including his proposals on job creation, taxes, entitlement programs and health care reform.

Gold prices closed modestly lower Monday but other precious metals posted gains as bargain hunters moved in to take advantage of discounts on silver, platinum and palladium.

James Franco wants his Rise of the Planet of the Apes co-star to get some recognition during awards season.